The goal of the program is to assist current farmers with their planning, through people who know farming and can identify with the issues that might arise for families in transition.

As a volunteer Beyond Farming Mentor you work as part of a small team and have the opportunity to speak with, support and visit farmers throughout Western Australia. You are trained and provided support to carry out this important role. You will be reimbursed for all approved expenses.

If you are a former farmer willing to offer your time, experience and knowledge, we would like to hear from you. Either call (08) 1800 616 076 or click here to contact us via email

What is involved in being a Beyond Farming Mentor?

You are trained to speak with, support and visit farmers throughout Western Australia . This is a voluntary role and mentors are reimbursed for approved phone, travel and accommodation expenses and provided with the necessary support to carry out this important role.

The key part of the mentor’s role is to be available to meet face to face or talk by phone with current farmers and their families who want to discuss their situation with people who have shared similar experiences and can identify with the issues that arise from the transition from farming or just want to discuss their options. Your role will not be about providing advice or counselling but, rather, to share your experiences.

Mentors also attend a range of agricultural and community events to promote the program and speak with farmers and their families.

Volunteers can be male or female or a couple – retired or employed. Your contribution will depend on your interests, abilities and availability.

Activities include:

Being available to talk to current farmers either by phone or face to face to discuss issues in relation to options beyond farming, succession and transition from the farm, based on
experience.

Attending various agricutural and community events to speak with farmers on your experiences and opportunities, and options outside farming.

Attending training to help you in this important role.

Maintaining open lines of communications with the Beyond Farming Program Officer at WACOSS.

Providing basic information on where farmers can access further assistance if required.

Who can be a Beyond Farming Mentor?

Beyond Farming Mentors can be former farmers who have taken up rewarding new work and/or life opportunities for themselves and their families. We are particularly interested in former farmers’ new ventures in retraining, new employment or business and lifestyle changes.

You can be male or female and may still be working in the agricultural industry in some capacity.

You need to be willing to share your story with interested farmers and to meet with them.

You also need to have good communication skills and an ability to develop rapport with farmers. You do not have to live in the pilot region but preferably live in Western Australia.

Men and women who have owned and operated an agricultural property anywhere in Australia within the past 10 years, but no longer do so, qualify as former farmers.

Can a husband and wife both volunteer?

Yes! We think that having couples involved would be great and also open the opportunity for more current farmers and their families to get involved. If signing up as a couple you may be matched as a couple or individually with a current farming family. It will really depend on who makes the enquiry and contacts the Beyond Farming Program Officer at WACOSS

Training and support

Free training for two days in Perth will be provided by WACOSS on all the skills and information that will help you be a Beyond Farming Mentor. It includes instructions on your role, communication tips, information on relevant services for farmers and how to access them and other specific issues you think would be important to help interested farmers.

All travel, accommodation and meals will be funded by WACOSS for those selected.

WACOSS also provides ongoing support to help you in this role, including for any referrals to professional or independent advisers if required in the course of your discussions with farmers. You are able to contact WACOSS at any time.

How much time is involved?

The amount of time you are able to spend and the specific activities you undertake are flexible.

How do we meet current farmers?

There will be a series of public events and promotional activities informing the current farmers of the program. Interested farmers will be able to contact the Beyond Farming Program Officer and request that a former farmer contact them.

We will match you with farmers according to their circumstances and location and your experience, knowledge and location.

Matching takes into account whether someone wants to talk to a person in a similar sector of farming, the same geographical location or whether they might feel more comfortable with someone who won’t know their personal circumstances. All people have different requirements so we will be doing our best to meet everyone’s needs.

Of course if you meet or know some current farmers and they want to get involved in the program, we would like to hear about it so we can find the best way to help them.

Where do we meet?

Where you meet is up to the current farmer and you. Communication may include email, phone or face to face meetings. WACOSS will cover approved expenses incurred by you in speaking with and meeting farmers.

Opportunity for input into the Beyond Farming program

You may be invited to provide input to the program from time to time – such as providing information and feedback on your contacts with farmers and joining in a discussion forum. Hearing about your experiences along the way will also be useful in promoting the program to more people.